21 July 2025 Current Affairs (With PDF)

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West Bengal Secures First Conviction in Digital Arrest Fraud Case

West Bengal has achieved a significant breakthrough by delivering the first-ever conviction in a ‘digital arrest’ scam, in which a cybercrime syndicate duped over 100 individuals and siphoned off more than ₹100 crore through manipulative and coercive tactics.

What is a Digital Arrest Scam?

A digital arrest is a sophisticated form of cyber extortion where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials to intimidate and defraud unsuspecting individuals.

Modus Operandi:

• Initial Contact: Victims receive deceptive phone calls, emails, or messages claiming they are involved in criminal activities such as identity theft, money laundering, or drug trafficking.
• Fear and Intimidation: The scammers pretend to be police officers, investigators, or government representatives. They threaten arrest or legal action, creating psychological pressure to manipulate the victim.
• Financial Deception: Victims are coerced into transferring funds under the guise of "security deposits," "verification charges," or to “clear their name” from alleged charges.

Constitutional and Administrative Framework

• State Government’s Role: As per Entry 1 and 2 of List II (State List) under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ fall under state jurisdiction.
• Centre’s Role: The Union Government supports state efforts through funding, policy advisories, and institutional capacity building under cybercrime prevention schemes.

Key Institutional Mechanisms to Combat Digital Arrest Frauds

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Nodal body under the Ministry of Home Affairs for coordinated action against cybercrime across states.
• Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC): A joint initiative housed under I4C where banks, telecom operators, and law enforcement agencies work in real time to disrupt financial fraud networks.
• Samanvaya Platform: A national-level interstate crime coordination and data sharing system, aimed at linking cybercrime cases across jurisdictions.
• Suspect Registry: A shared database, developed in collaboration with the banking sector, for tracking identifiers (like mobile numbers, emails, and bank accounts) linked to cyber fraud.
• Report and Check Suspect Feature: Available on the national cybercrime portal cybercrime.gov.in, this tool allows citizens to verify suspicious entities using known criminal identifiers.

Citizen Safety: CERT-IN Advisory Guidelines

To safeguard the public, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has issued best-practice guidelines:

• Verify Caller Credentials: Demand identification and independently validate any official-sounding caller.
• Avoid Panic: Stay calm and avoid hasty decisions under pressure.
• Do Not Share Personal or Financial Details: Refrain from disclosing sensitive information, including OTPs and account numbers.
• Never Hand Over Your Device: Do not allow remote access or physical access to your smartphone or computer by strangers.
• Use Trusted Portals: Report cybercrimes on the government’s official platform: cybercrime.gov.in

GENIUS Act: U.S. Legislation to Regulate Stablecoins

The United States has introduced the GENIUS Act, aiming to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for stablecoins, a subset of cryptocurrencies. This marks a significant step toward bringing greater transparency and consumer protection in the evolving digital asset market.

What are Stablecoins?

1. Stablecoins are digital currencies whose value is tied to a stable asset such as:

• Fiat currencies (e.g. USD)
• Commodities (e.g. gold)
• Financial instruments

2. Example:

• Tether (USDT), pegged to the U.S. dollar

Why are Stablecoins Gaining Popularity?

1. Value Stability:

• Pegged to underlying real-world assets, making them less volatile compared to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

2. Backing by Institutions:

Issued and backed by regulated entities such as:

• Commercial banks
• Non-bank financial institutions
• Large tech companies

3. Governance Mechanism:

• Most stablecoins are managed by governance bodies that define how reserves are managed and how coins are issued.

Cryptocurrency Regulation in India

1. Current Status:

• As of now, crypto assets remain unregulated in India.
• No legal framework exists for stablecoins or other forms of cryptocurrency.

2. Taxation Measures:

• Under the Finance Act, 2022, the government imposed: 30% tax on capital gains from Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs)
• The Income Tax Act, 1961 defines VDAs to include:
  - Cryptocurrencies
  - Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
  - Other digital tokens

3. Money Laundering Oversight:

• In 2023, VDAs were brought under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, enhancing regulatory scrutiny.

How Does Cryptocurrency Work?

• Blockchain: Operates on a distributed public ledger that records all transactions transparently.
• Mining: New coins are generated through solving complex mathematical problems using high computing power.
• Digital Wallets: Users can purchase, store, and spend these currencies using crypto wallets.

Quantum Cybersecurity: India Gears Up for the Post-Quantum Era

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with CERT-In and cybersecurity firm SISA, has released a whitepaper titled “Transitioning to Quantum Cyber Readiness.” This marks a strategic initiative to safeguard India's digital infrastructure against threats emerging from quantum computing advancements.

Understanding Quantum Cybersecurity

Quantum cybersecurity focuses on securing digital systems from future quantum-enabled attacks and includes two key paradigms:

1. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC):

• Involves designing encryption techniques that are resilient to quantum computer attacks.
• These algorithms are designed to run on classical computing infrastructure while ensuring quantum-resistance.

2. Quantum Cryptography:

• Relies on the principles of quantum mechanics, especially Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).
• Provides theoretically unbreakable encryption, as any interception attempt alters the quantum state and can be detected instantly.

Why is Quantum Cyber Readiness Essential?

1. Vulnerability of Current Systems:

• Widely used encryption methods like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) may soon become obsolete, as quantum computers could break them in mere hours.

2. Emerging Threats – "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" (HNDL):

• Adversaries are collecting encrypted data today with the intent to decrypt it later using powerful quantum computers.
• Targets include digital certificates, blockchain systems, and cryptocurrency transactions.

Strategic Roadmap for Transitioning to Quantum-Ready Cybersecurity

The whitepaper outlines a four-stage transformation framework to prepare organizations for the post-quantum era:

1. Foundational Assessment & Strategic Planning

• Identify quantum-vulnerable assets within critical systems.
• Establish organizational awareness and a long-term security roadmap.

2. Technology Readiness & Capability Building

• Conduct infrastructure audits to determine gaps.
• Initiate upgrades and pilot projects using quantum-safe technologies.

3. Phased Organizational Rollout

Adopt a multi-phase migration strategy tailored to an organization’s:

• Existing architecture
• Strategic priorities
• Risk tolerance
• Resource capacity

4. Resilience, Monitoring & Futureproofing

• Implement technologies like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).
• Invest in continuous threat monitoring and adaptive response systems to remain resilient as the quantum landscape evolves.

Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025 Notified

The Government of India has officially notified the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025 under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, aiming to regulate the exploration and mining of strategic atomic minerals in India’s offshore regions.

Objective of the Rules

• To establish a regulatory framework for the exploration and extraction of atomic minerals such as uranium and thorium from offshore areas.
• The rules are applicable only when the concentration of atomic minerals exceeds a prescribed threshold level.

Key Provisions of the Rules

1. Licensing and Leases

• Exploration licences and production leases can be granted to entities nominated by the government.
• The framework is designed to ensure that such rights are allocated transparently and strategically.

2. Foreign Participation

• Foreign entities intending to undertake exploration activities in offshore areas must seek prior approval from the competent government authorities.
• This ensures national security and strategic oversight in critical mineral exploration.

Strategic Significance: Key Atomic Minerals in India

1. Uranium

a. Importance:

• Uranium is a critical input for India’s nuclear energy programme.

b. Major Uranium Reserves:

• Jharkhand - Jaduguda, Bagjata
• Andhra Pradesh - Lambapur-Peddagattu
• Meghalaya, Rajasthan, among others

c. Highlights:

• Jaduguda (Jharkhand) was India’s first commercial uranium mine.
• Most deposits in India are low-grade and smaller in size compared to major global producers like Kazakhstan, Canada, or Australia.

2. Thorium

a. Strategic Role:

• Thorium is crucial for India’s long-term nuclear strategy, particularly in its three-stage nuclear power programme.

b. Availability in India:

• Though uranium reserves are limited, India holds abundant thorium resources.
• Monazite, a key source mineral, contains 8–10% thorium content.

c. Major Deposits:

• Found extensively in beach sands of Kerala and Odisha.
• These are among the richest known thorium reserves globally.

Ukraine Joins International Criminal Court as 125th State Party

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially recognized Ukraine as the 125th State Party to the Rome Statute, enhancing global participation in the fight against international crimes.

About the International Criminal Court (ICC)

• The ICC is the world’s first permanent international court mandated to prosecute individuals, not states, for grave violations of international law.

Key Features

1. Mandate:

The ICC investigates and prosecutes four core international crimes:

• Genocide
• War Crimes
• Crimes Against Humanity
• Crime of Aggression

2. Legal Foundation:

• Established under the Rome Statute, which was:
• Adopted: 1998
• Entered into Force: 2002

3. Headquarters:

• Located in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICC operates independently from the United Nations, although it can cooperate with it under certain frameworks.

4. Membership:

• As of 2025, 125 countries are parties to the Rome Statute, signifying broad international support.

5. India's Position:

• India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and thus not a member of the ICC, citing concerns over sovereignty, judicial independence, and jurisdictional overreach.

Significance of Ukraine’s Accession

• Ukraine’s full membership strengthens the legitimacy and jurisdictional reach of the ICC.
• It reflects growing global consensus around accountability for international crimes, especially amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Netra MkII: India’s Next-Gen Airborne Early Warning System Approved for Production

The Government of India has sanctioned the production phase of the Netra MkII project-an advanced version of India's indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) under the AWACS India programme.

About Netra MkII

• Netra MkII represents a significant leap in India’s airborne surveillance and command capabilities, designed to enhance airspace awareness, threat detection, and battlefield coordination.

Key Highlights:

1. Aircraft Platform:

• The Netra MkII system will be integrated onto the Airbus A321 aircraft, offering enhanced range and endurance compared to earlier platforms.

2. Core Capabilities:

• Long-range detection and tracking of aerial threats
• Real-time surveillance and command over a wide operational theatre
• Functions as a flying command centre, coordinating offensive and defensive air operations

Key Features

1. Advanced Radar Systems:

• Equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars
• Enables high-resolution, 360-degree coverage for airspace monitoring

2. Mission Control Suite:

• Hosts sophisticated command and control systems to analyze and relay data rapidly
• Facilitates seamless communication between air and ground assets

3. Strategic Importance:

• Extends India’s aerial situational awareness across vast distances
• Acts as a force multiplier in both defensive and offensive operations

India Proposes Co-Production of Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles with the U.S.

India has formally submitted a Letter of Request (LoR) to the United States seeking co-production of Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) within the country, aiming to boost indigenous manufacturing under the defence partnership.

About Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)

• The Javelin ATGM is regarded as one of the world’s most advanced man-portable anti-tank weapon systems, designed to neutralize heavily armoured threats on the battlefield.

Key Features

• Fire-and-Forget Capability: Once launched, the missile autonomously guides itself to the target, requiring no further input from the operator.
• Portability: Lightweight and shoulder-fired, it can be operated by a single soldier, making it ideal for mobile infantry operations.
• Medium-Range Precision Strike: Capable of engaging targets at medium-range distances, with high accuracy and penetration capabilities.
• Top-Attack Mode: Engineered to strike tanks at their most vulnerable point-the top armor-enhancing effectiveness against modern armored vehicles.

Strategic Significance for India

• Indigenous Production: If approved, the co-production initiative would contribute to India’s ‘Make in India’ and defence indigenization goals, while strengthening defence ties with the U.S..
• Capability Enhancement: Equipping Indian armed forces with Javelins would enhance their anti-armor capabilities in diverse operational terrains, from plains to high-altitude zones.

India Reaffirms Support for ‘Pact for the Future’ at United Nations Dialogue

India has reiterated its strong commitment to the ‘Pact for the Future’ during a high-level dialogue at the United Nations, underlining its dedication to inclusive multilateralism, sustainable development, and digital cooperation.

What is the ‘Pact for the Future’?

• The ‘Pact for the Future’ is a landmark global agreement adopted at the Summit of the Future in 2024, aimed at reshaping international cooperation and global governance for coming generations.

Key Components

1. Global Digital Compact (GDC):

• The first comprehensive international framework for digital collaboration
• Focuses on bridging the digital divide, promoting internet governance, and responsible technology use

2. Declaration on Future Generations:

• Emphasizes the need to safeguard the interests of future generations in today’s policymaking
• Calls for intergenerational equity and long-term sustainability

Core Focus Areas of the Pact

The Pact outlines concrete commitments and measurable outcomes across multiple global priority areas, with a firm emphasis on human rights, gender equity, and sustainable development.

1. Sustainable Development & Financing

• Reinforces commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• Stresses the need for equitable financing mechanisms for developing countries

2. Global Peace and Security

• Promotes reforms in conflict resolution mechanisms and international security architecture

3. Science, Technology & Innovation

• Encourages global cooperation in emerging technologies, research, and data-sharing frameworks

4. Digital Governance

Through the Global Digital Compact, it calls for:

• Universal digital inclusion
• Ethical AI standards
• Protection of data privacy and digital rights

5. Youth and Future Generations

• Advocates for youth participation in decision-making
• Ensures that global policies are future-proof and intergenerationally fair

6. Transforming Global Governance

• Pushes for more representative, transparent, and accountable global institutions
• Seeks to reform multilateral organizations to meet contemporary challenges

ESA and Frazer-Nash Launch ‘INVICTUS’ to Pioneer Reusable Hypersonic Flight

The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with UK-based engineering firm Frazer-Nash, has initiated a groundbreaking project named INVICTUS to advance the development of reusable hypersonic aerospace technologies.

What is INVICTUS?

• INVICTUS is an experimental aerospace platform designed to demonstrate the feasibility of sustained hypersonic flight and reusability—critical components for future spaceplanes and high-speed atmospheric transport systems.

Key Characteristics

• Speed Capability: Engineered to operate at Mach 5, i.e., five times the speed of sound, enabling ultra-fast travel through the atmosphere.
• Design Philosophy: The vehicle is fully reusable and modular, making it adaptable for multiple flight test campaigns.

Funding and Support

1. The INVICTUS programme is backed by:

• ESA’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP)
• Technology Development Element (TDE)

2. These funding mechanisms support cutting-edge aerospace innovation and long-term space sustainability in Europe.

Key Technological Features

1. Sustained Hypersonic Flight

• INVICTUS is built to withstand the extreme thermal and aerodynamic conditions of continuous hypersonic flight in the Earth’s atmosphere.

2. Modular and Upgradable Architecture

• Components such as materials, propulsion systems, and software can be interchanged between test cycles.
• Enables cost-effective testing and incremental technology upgrades.

3. Hydrogen-Fuelled Precooled Air-Breathing Propulsion

Central to the project is a novel hydrogen-based propulsion system that:

• Supports horizontal take-off
• Reduces reliance on vertical-launch systems
• Enhances reusability and environmental sustainability

Strategic Significance

1. INVICTUS aims to validate next-generation propulsion technologies that are:

• Clean (hydrogen-fuelled)
• Scalable
• Suited for commercial and defence aerospace applications

2. The project aligns with Europe's broader ambitions in:

• Reusable launch systems
• Advanced atmospheric mobility
• Low-carbon space exploration technologies

CPI for Agricultural and Rural Labourers: Base Year Updated to 2019=100

The Labour Bureau, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, has officially revised the base year for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Agricultural Labourers (AL) and Rural Labourers (RL) to 2019=100, replacing the earlier base of 1986-87=100.

What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

• The CPI tracks the variation in prices of goods and services over time, representing the cost of living for households. It reflects inflation trends and helps determine wage adjustments and policy decisions, especially in rural and agricultural sectors.

CPI-AL and CPI-RL Explained

• CPI-AL (Agricultural Labourers): Captures price movements relevant to workers engaged in agricultural occupations on hire, compensated in cash, kind, or both.
• CPI-RL (Rural Labourers): Encompasses price changes affecting individuals engaged in manual labour in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors in rural areas, paid in cash or kind.

Compiled By

• Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.

Key Highlights of the Revised Series (2019=100)

• Updated Consumption Basket: Reflects changes in consumption patterns, wage structures, and rural expenditure trends based on recent data.
• Improved Representativeness: The new base year ensures more accurate measurement of inflation faced by rural households and agricultural workers, which is essential for formulating rural wage policies and social sector schemes.
• Policy Relevance: The updated index will help in
  - Fixing minimum wages
  - Monitoring inflation trends
  - Targeting subsidies and welfare programs

Definitions (As per Labour Bureau)

• Agricultural Labourer: An individual engaged in one or more agricultural occupations as a hired worker, receiving wages in cash or kind (or both).
• Rural Labourer: A person who performs manual labour in rural areas, including agricultural and non-agricultural work, and is paid in cash, kind, or a combination of both.

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